A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

First, We must find and ferret out the Infidelity that lurketh in our bosoms, condemn it, and make it odious. Ah, how is my heart fallen by unbelief?¹ What a mass of infidelity harboureth in my breast? O Lord, I am grossly ignorant of thy ways, doubtful of thy truth, distrustful of thy power and goodness, disobedient to thy Commandment. Thou hast given rare and excellent promises in thy holy Word, but I enquire not after them, rejoice not in them, cleave not unto them in truth and steadfastness, settle not mine heart upon them, make them not mine own, keep them not safe, that I may know what to challenge by them, prize them not according to the worth and value of the good promised. Because by a civill faith men believe men, therefore they seek to get their security, and if they have a man of credit his word for what was desperate, they are glad; If they have bonds or specialties, they box them up, they know when they expire, what to challenge by virtue of them, they will do nothing that may be prejudicial to themselves therein. But ⟨p. 209⟩as for the promises of life made in thy Word, I seek them not, build not upon them, hide them not carefully in my heart, cast not seriously with my self what good I may assuredly look for by virtue of them, keep them not continually in thought to cut off all carnal reasonings and distractions, am not wary to prevent what may bring prejudice to my soul and state. Thou threatenest in thy Word, but I do not fear, am not careful to decline sin. Who is so hardy as to thrust his finger into the fire? But I have suffered my self often to be carried aside with lusts through unbelief. How many wicked motions have I entertained? what sinful passions have I nourished? how vainly, rashly, wickedly have I spoken, though I have bin warned by thy Word of threatening to the contrary? True and righteous are thy precepts according to which thou hast commanded me to walk: But I have followed the customs, examples, and traditions of men, the suggestions of Satan, and allurements of the World. Lust and passion have oft come betwixt my heart and thy holy precepts, whereby I am turned aside from the strait way of peace. I can find small relish and savour in the Word of life, I digest it not, feed not upon it, hunger not after it, am not changed into the nature of it.

First, Wee must find and ferret out the Infidelitie that lurketh in our bosomes, condemne it, and make it odious. Ah, how is my heart fallen by vnbeliefe?